Back in the day!
I guess they figured out how to fan a window fast. Ettore invented the modern squeegee in 1936 and here they are fanning the window back in the 1930’s.
PS
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Warning!!! [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]This film depicts some very dangerous and daring window washers at work. Some of the people on this forum may find viewing this film extremely upsetting. :)[/FONT][/SIZE]<O:p</O:p
More video on The Empire State building and the men that built it. There are some window cleaners in this clip as well.
PS
I grew up just north of the Big Apple on the Hudson river back in the 60’s and I’ve been to the Empire State Building observatory.
My roots!
The video is from the 1940s so they had a little more time. I’d like to know the name of the window washer who began the fanning technique.
Osha would be all over them today. :eek:
Hey John,
Why do you think it was the 40’s?
I did some research and came up with this.
It stood as the [COLOR=#0645ad]world’s tallest building[/COLOR] for 40 years, from its completion in [B]1931[/B] until construction of the [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center”][COLOR=#0645ad]World Trade Center[/COLOR]'s North Tower was completed in 1972.
Found this on the internet as well.
As the 1930’s came around, Charlie was becoming well-known throughout the eastern U.S. and began having his work published in many well known venues such as the New York Times. From about 1931-33 he continued to do seasonal work traveling up and down the coast. … It was in this capacity in 1932 that he was appointed photographic director for the construction of the Rockefeller Center in the fall of 1932. There he documented the construction of the center and continued to do freelance shoots in and around New York. …It was also during this time, that he took the photograph of the workmen having lunch out on a beam high above the city of New York, which has sold more copies than any other single image in stock photography history and has been called an iconic representation of twentieth century America.
Mike,
That’s the date with the video on You Tube.
Hey John,
I bet they put the tribute to Charles Ebbets film together in the 40’s to honor him.
Thanks for your likes my friend. How’s the business coming along? 
PS
The link in your last post takes us directly to YouTube and some great high rise window cleaning clips in the margin. Fun viewing, Thanks!
Michael…
Great thread it shows those who set our industry in the fast lane !
Dange
Mike. Where in N.Y. do you come from?
This is the real deal here. we are just mice compared to these men. who worked on buildings like that all them years ago…
Balls of steel
John,
Have you heard of Dobbs Ferry? Twelve miles north of the city. South of Tarrytown.
A blog on the Empire State from a few years back here.
Mike,
I got the link from your video. In regards to business I’m still getting on my feet. Right now I’m looking for a new name. If you have any ideas let me know.
WHOA I was fine watching it until the acrobatics on the ledge at the end… then I got a little wOOoOooOOOoozy
Now y’all see why I stay on THIS side of the Hudson River lol… no hi rise, no sir-ree!!!
EDIT: I remember seeing this pic of the man who changes the light bulb at the top of the Empire State Building in National Geographic years ago, still gives me vertigo 
Why are those window cleaners in their underwear doing acrobatics on the wall?
Thats crazy stuff man… made the back of my knees tingle.
i like how they use the same fan technique as today. 13 seconds in.
“The Brothers of Ettore”
The day and age where our industry was developed !
It is us who use the same snaking technique !
DangerousDange / “Son of Ettore”
Dave
Do you know who started the fanning/snaking technigue?
